A Happy Father's Day

First off, I can't understand why I didn't get a picture with Ryan and his girls after church today!  Now that I'm thinking about it, it was sprinkling outside, but still!  I could've gotten a quick one, but at least I got one with the ice cream cake.  Darn it.  Anyway, I hope he had a good day.  Before church the girls gave him some sweet homemade cards and we also gave him some flip flops and also some ear buds for when he goes running.  After church and lunch I surprised Ryan with a Blizzard cake from Dairy Queen.  I usually get him one for Father's Day each year so I'm sure he knew it was coming!  He got to take a long nap snuggled up next to his girls, then we had dinner.  He grilled Filets and I made squash casserole.  I felt bad that he technically still cooked, but I didn't think anyone wanted a steak that Mom made...

We are so very grateful for Ryan.  He's always putting himself before us, he's thoughtful, gives really good hugs, makes me laugh until I cry, and is the best Dad for our girls.  Couldn't have chosen anyone better!

Kit Kat

We had the missionaries over for dinner last night.  Always nice to have them over.  Normally after we finish eating, they'll have a special message for us to share, but last night I had a request for their message.  Since Lane is getting baptized in November, I asked them if they could talk with her about baptism and what it means, why we do it, and why she wants to do it.  I'm so glad I did because as much as we talk to her about it, or her learning about it in sharing time at church, it was nice for her to have them talk just to her.  Elder Clement related to the meaning of baptism to a Kit Kat candy bar, mainly the Kat part.  He told Lane to remember what the K, A, and T stood for and she'd be good.

K-Keep the Commandments

A-Always Remember Him

T-Take Upon His Name

I loved it!  Such a simple way of remembering what baptism is all about.  I'm so excited for Lane that she's getting baptized in just a few months.  Besides my sealing to Ryan, I think it was the most important decision I made and one I always cherish.  

Summer Cuts

Addyson's hair has gotten so long and she needed a trim.  Bad.  She decided she wanted it short, so I asked a friend from church that I know cuts hair to cut it for her.  Lane wanted a bit of hers cut too so we trimmed maybe two inches.  I'm loving the way Addyson's turned out and I think she does, too!  It's gotten pretty warm lately so it was the perfect time to do it.

Mad Science Camp

I signed Lane up for a Mad Science camp this past week and she had so much fun.  She loves anything science, experiments, and figuring out how things work.  I knew she'd love this and she did.  She came home each day with something new she made, and on the last day she came home with a Light Saber.  Her Star Wars loving sister was pretty jealous!  I'm glad I found out about this camp, it's one we'll probably do again next summer.

Peace Out, School!

This past Thursday was the last day of school.  I had two happy kids!  Well, Addyson had mixed feelings about it being the end of the year.  She had a pretty amazing teacher this year, Mrs. Lyon.  They built a really need relationship and I know it's one that Adyson will always treasure.  They exchanged an email the last week of school and it brought tears to my eyes;

Hey Mrs. Lyon! This is Addy just FYI. I just wanted to tell you I'm so thankful for you and all you have done for me. So- thank you! I don't want to sound cheesy- because every kid says it-but you are so amazing! I will never EVER forget you or this year. You helped me understand everything, and helped me deal with some people (you know who) that I would have not been patience with without you. I hope we can be pen pals/email pals! I will always keep you posted! :) I hope someday you will be able to watch Star Wars! LOL! Anyway, I won't be that annoying person that always emails you- but I will definitely keep in touch. I hope you never change and stay great! Thanks again! I will miss you so so much!


                                                        Your Student,
                                         Addyson Johnson 

Hey Addyson,

I have to tell you that you always make me smile and really seem to know when I need a pick me up!  (Even in the most unusual times) After sitting at a long storm delayed tough track meet tonight, I thought I had better check my email...there you are :).  I should be thanking you!  I think you helped me this year more than I could have ever helped you. I almost cried and laughed at the same time. Never hesitate to email me.  I hope we can stay in touch for years to come.  I am excited to see the wonderful things you are going to do. Always know that my door is open for you and that no matter where you are, your google drive is instantaneous! To think that you could ever be cheese made me chuckle out loud:)). 

You have to promise me that you will stay the same and continue to work hard.  You are an impressive young lady...don't ever forget it and don't be afraid to show it :)

Your teacher always, 
Mrs. Lyon

I mean wow!  I never had a teacher like this, she's one in a Million, and I hope Lane gets to experience teacher like Mrs. Lyon at some point in her life.

I told the girls they could each have a friend spend the night the last at of school.  Addyson had Regan over and Lane had Eliza.  Both really sweet girls so I knew there'd be no issues.  Haha. The girls played kickball, hung in their rooms, we did personal pizzas for dinner, Spa time after they ate, they ran around the yard after dark, watched movies, played Rock Band, then everyone crashed before Midnight.  The next day Liza needed to get home fairly early, but Regan stayed with us most of the day while her Mom worked. I took the girls to see Tomorrowland and I think it was one of the worst movies I'd seen.  The girls thought it was fine, but it was boring and the storyline was pretty odd.  

Can't believe yet another school year has passed.  After I put the girls on the bus the last day I cried.  Not unusual for me lately, but it just stung knowing that these girls aren't getting any younger.  Fifth grade and second grade, my little ones are growing so fast...so proud of them for all that they accomplished this year!

Westside Market and Melt

One of the places we haven't been since living in Ohio is the Westside Market in Ohio City near downtown.  It's really old, been there since the 1800's, and is full of vendors that bring their local, fresh foods to sell.  There were people selling produce, cheese, pastries, meat, flowers, and I'm sure things we didn't see.  Tons of people were there walking around, probably because it was a Saturday.  We ended up getting some dried pineapples and strawberries, some cupcakes and truffles and some grapes.  So glad we got to finally go because I've been curious about it for a while.

Afterwards we went to a restaurant called Melt in Independence for lunch.  Can't believe I didn't take a picture of our sandwiches, but this place basically makes grilled cheeses and stuffs them with anything imaginable.  I got the Backyard BBQ that had shredded beef on it with onion rings, Ryan got a Monte Cristo and Addyson a plain grilled cheese.  So much food, and a place we probably shouldn't eat at too often!  But it was still really good.

And that was how we spent our first Saturday of the Summer!

Tomatoes and IPads

Such a beautiful Ohio day today!  Couldn't get enough of being outside.  And I love the days when I know it's only a high of 70 so I can shut the heat or A/C off and open up all the windows in the house.  So nice.

We ran errands and while we were out we stopped and picked up a hanging basket of flowers and a tomato plant.  I'm so excited at the idea of growing my own food!  If all goes, or should I say grows right, we'll be eating fresh tomatoes by my birthday.  I'm excited!

Then this afternoon we took Addyson to buy her very own iPad Mini.  She's been saving up her money for a while, so Ryan and I decided to match what she has saved and got her one.  She's made the Honor Roll at school every six weeks this year at school so she was very deserving.  She was thrilled to say the least!  Can't believe she's approaching fifth grade this Fall.  Time is not slowing down at all.